Cheryl L Verhey

European markets came under pressure on Friday as Spain's debt costs began pushing higher once again and traders awaited more information about the embattled country's bank bailout.

Dutch chemicals company Akzo Nobel NV (AKZA.AE) is planning a benchmark-size, euro-denominated, 10-year bond, one of the banks running the deal said Friday.

The European Commission said Friday that it will present proposed amendments to the market abuse directive next week in the wake of the Barclays PLC (BCS) Libor interest rate-fixing scandal.

Bangkok Bank PCL (BBL.TH) said Friday its second-quarter net profit rose 19.7% from a year earlier due to higher net interest income and gains from trading and foreign exchange transactions.

Baker Hughes Inc.'s (BHI) second-quarter profit climbed 30% as the company's onshore U.S. operations helped to offset a seasonal slowdown in Canada, contributing to better-than-expected revenue.

Malaysia's Securities Commission said Friday it has charged Sreesanthan Eliathamby, a corporate lawyer who sits on several Malaysian listed companies, with seven counts of insider trading in shares of four companies between 2006 and 2008.

SunTrust Banks Inc.'s (STI) second-quarter profit rose 54% as increased revenue coupled with a decline in provisions for credit losses helped the regional bank to beat Wall Street expectations.

Schlumberger Ltd.'s (SLB) second-quarter earnings rose 4.8% as the oil-field services provider international revenue helped to offset weakness in North America.

Big C Supercenter PCL (BIGC.TH) - Bangkok Figures in baht Second Quarter to June 30: 2012 2011 Net Profit THB1,387,968,000 THB1,089,920,000 Earnings per share 1.70 1.36 Six Months to June 30: 2012 2011 Net Profit THB3,164,911,000 THB2,031,381,000 Earnings per share 3.92 2.53 All figures are